MD Police Seminar Focuses on Sexting04/06/2011WJZ-TV

SYKESVILLE, Md. (AP) — Community police officers and school administrators from across Maryland are learning to tackle the digital-age crimes of sexting and electronic dating violence.

Several dozen law-enforcement officials and educators are attending the seminar Wednesday in Sykesville. The program is run by the Maryland Community Crime Prevention Institute.

Organizers say young people must learn that sending sexually explicit photographs of people under 18 can lead to federal child pornography charges. They say using a cell phone to intimidate a boyfriend or girlfriend may violate state laws against telephone misuse and harassment. The seminar also includes a discussion of sexual predators on the Internet.

Organizers say program participants will learn how to talk to young people and their parents about these issues.